Walker: Prison tower guards obsolete

During a visit to Kriete Truck Center in Lawrence, Walker stuck to his message about cutting property taxes, reducing the University of Wisconsin system budget and freeing it from state control, and freezing tuition for certain technical college courses.

It was a repeat of his budget address Tuesday and his presentation at WEL Cos. in Ledgeview two weeks ago. He said the budget is about keeping costs under control and making it easier for people to get jobs, his major themes.

In regard to cutting the budget for the state Department of Corrections, Walker said prisons no longer need around-the-clock tower guards, who are needed mainly to watch prisoners when they are in the yard. Modern technology is used to monitor walls and fences.

"In the 21st century, towers are about the most obsolete things. Having a person in a tower is not only 20th century, it's almost 19th century," he said. "The third shift doesn't provide any additional security."